John Spaw, David Craig Kat Cornelius and Rom Kuras
Influences
Tom Waits, Stooges, Brian Eno, Flaming Lips, Yola Tengo, Talking Heads, Pretenders, Iggy Pop, old, old, Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars, The Replacements, Velvet Underground, Leonard Cohen, Sex Pistols, GBH, MDC, Sham 69, Dead Kenedys, Cramps, Buzz Cocks, etc. as well as Kraftwerk, David Bowie, Eno, Phil Manzanera, Tim Story, Conrad Schnitzler, U2,Bauhaus, ...blah...blah...blah...
After traveling the country, doing some touring in different bands, a few stints in jails/institutions, and a couple indie-releases (with The Lowdowns on Junk Records), John and Dave have found themselves in their latest project; a four piece band based in San Francisco California known as Stella Royale (named after a vintage blues guitar and the world’s most beautiful midget).
The new line up includes: John Spaw - electric/acoustic guitar, vocals
David Craig – baritone/bass guitar, keys, vocals
Rom Kuras – drums/percussion
Kat Cornelius – trumpet/French horn, acordion, percussion
After returning from what seemed like a lifetime of touring with various circus acts and sideshows, and after failing miserably at juggling and acrobatics, John Spaw and David Craig found their true talent to be composing and performing music.
They discovered the ability to write songs filled with deep lyrics and sometimes haunting melodies using a bizarre combination of folk Americana, punk, rock n’ roll, and jazz influences.
John explains, “Before we were collecting “pickled punks” and eating light bulbs for traveling side shows, Dave and I were just teenage drinking buddies with a mutual passion for music. Dave was playing bass in a Ska band and I was teaching myself how to play guitar. We used to sit up all night in his Volkswagen bug, drinking beer and listening to bands like The Clash, David Bowie, Bauhaus, Velvet Underground, and The Sex Pistols. One day we decided to start our own band, we have been involved in some sort of musical project together ever since”.
Recorded in 2 months 2008, ‘cockroach ensemble’, the newest self released album from Stella Royale, sounds like a combo plate of garage rock n’ roll, Jazz, Blues and Folk Americana.
“This latest CD release is all new music since the band reformed with Rom Kuras on drums & Kat Cornelius on Trumpet & French horn. There is definitely a fresh dynamic of sound and influence to Cockroach Ensemble, a must hear for music enthusiasts".
"Stella Royale conjures a sound that is both original and referential of many preceding things. A dash of punk - though hardly how you imagine it - a hint of shoegazer - again, quit imagining and just go listen - indie rock, psychadelic, blues, good old rock n roll and a heady dose of non-conformity".
-Corazine
Hi Stella! thanks so much for joining our little community of miscreants! You guys have a great song. We have a new song going live in just a few days.
Greetings Stella Royale, Please let me hear more of that wonderful sound. I keep searching for you between the cushions. You ever remind me of the enigma of happy thoughts I once forgot. In your absence I am forced into finding other forms of amusement while thinking about you. The music that flows from your instruments overwhelms me with creativity. I find your eyes to be a wondrous amusement park filled with neo-plastic pleasures and turkish delights. So charmingly silky, your skin is like a teardrop on a popsickle. All my thoughts are lost to your graceful gaze? Polished rock candy comes ever to mind when thinking of you. Your cleverness helps me breathe without the need of oxygen. The skin I shed is a perfume that makes water bubbles so terribly clear to me. Your eyes show as many deep and full shades of fire as a thousand supernovas. If I could have just one wish, it would be to wake up to your songs in the morning. Your tears evoke a taste as memorable as honey. The elves that play in the toasters wash their drum sticks in honey and sing strikingly colored anthems in perfect harmonious pleasure.
THANK YOU JOHN AND CREW FOR HAVING ME LOVE YA GUYS DAVEO.. Stella Royale & OL'Cheeky Bastards featuring daveo of cell block 5 & screaming bloody marys.... March, 29 2008 at Cafe Royale 800 Post St, San Francisco, California Cost : acoustic set
TONIGHT SHOW ROCKED IT WAS VERY SWANK AND COZY FOR SF NITE. BOTTOM OF NOB HILL ABOVE THE TENDERLOIN...STELLA ROYALE ROCKED I LOVE THE HORN PLAYER,THERE DRUMMER KICKS AND JOHN GREAT VOX AS WELL AS THERE BASS PLAYER....THEY ARE A BAND ID PLAY WITH AGAIN....CHEERS DAVEO
GET YOUR "OL’CHEEKY" SWAG HERE HELLO PUNKS/ROCKERS/STRIPPERS/PEEPS/HOBOS AND TRAMPS/AND BANDS!!!!!
DAVEO'S BAND OL'CHEEKY BASTARDS HAVE 3 SONGS UP CHECK THEM OUT PLEASE AND NEW RECORD "BAG O'TRICKS" ON VAGRANT RECORDS OF SEATTLE WASH.PRODUCED BY MICHEAL MOLENDA(editor of guitar player)...FEEL FREE TO SAY HEY ....
AND YOU BOOKERS/CLUBS AND PUBS.....
CONTACT DAVE AT DISASTER BOOKING PLEASE....CHEERS DAVEO!!!
www. myspace. com/disasterartists disasterartists. com vagrant records of seattle washington www. vagrantrecords. com
Hi John!! Many good things coming your way I hope? Please write and update me-I hear from Brian that things are going well with Massive Music so that's great! Excited to announce that the new album, Push and Pull, is finally here! Would love it if you could take a listen-posted a bunch of stuff from the album just yesterday! Cheers. If you feel like playing with us, let me know! Aoede-muse of song www. aoedemuse. com
We are working outside the box, independent, looking to build with everyone out there that’s doing it – that’s on the grind, making things happen.
We are working on grassroots marketing, touring & building connections. We are looking for beats, new friends, promoters, producers, fans, investors, labels and mostly – opportunity.
As the future of hip hop, we are proactive, take a revolutionary stand & are looking to better our community through poetry.
Check for "Clean Heart" at all Rasputin's in the Bay.
